HIGBEE, Joseph 1840 - 1907

HIGBEE, FRIZELL, GORDON, WEBSTER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/29/2024 at 21:48:21

"The Fairfield Journal"
Thursday, June 13, 1907
Page 3, Column 2

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

... --Mrs. FRIZZIE of Muscatine arrived this morning called here by the serious illness of her brother-in-law, Joseph HIGBEE.

--Rev. Vernon HIGBEE of Omaha, Neb., was called home a few days ago owing to the illness of his father who died today. ...

... --Joseph HIGBEE, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of this city, died this afternoon at one o'clock at his home on the corner of Adams and H streets. His wife and one son Rev. Vernon HIGBEE of Omaha, Neb., survive him. The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home. ...

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, June 14, 1907
Page 5, Column 2

HOME NEWS.

... Rev. Vernon HIGBEE of Omaha, Neb., is in the city called here by the illness and death of his father, the late Joseph HIGBEE.

(same publication and page, but Column 3 -- )

HIGBEE Dead.

Comrade Joseph HIGBEE died at his home on East Adams st. yesterday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Rev. Jones had visited him and he was apparently in his usual health and sitting up. At 1 o'clock he was dead. His death was from a wound received at the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, about fourty-four years ago. He was a member of the 19th Iowa Inft. His son came from Omaha, Neb. this morning and was present when his father passed away. An obituary will appear next week.

Funeral will be held from the residence on East Adams street tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, June 19th, 1907
Page 6, Column 3

Well Known Citizen Gone.

Joseph HIGBEE was born near Wapello, Louisa county, Iowa, on the 20th of September, 1840. His parents, Joseph and Rachel GORDON HIGBEE, were among the earliest settlers of eastern Iowa, coming from New York and Ohio, respectively, and establishing a home in the new west in 1836. Joseph HIGBEE, jr., grew to a sturdy young manhood and at twenty-two years of age enlisted as a private soldier in Company F, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry volunteers. A few days previous to his regiment's departure he had been united in marriage to Dianah Ellen WEBSTER. In nine months after leaving for the battle front he returned with what seemed a fatal wound, and it would have proved so had it not been for the more than ordinary physical endurance of the young man and the careful and self sacrificing care of the young wife. As it was, the wound never ceased to be a source of constant anxiety and the seat of unceasing pain, and, after nearly forty-five years, resulted in death on the 13th day of June, 1907. The first home was on a farm near Wapello, where, with the use of but one hand and arm, the soldier made a vain struggle to bring a living from the soil. He then prepared himself for public school work and engaged in teaching for a period of fifteen years. His last position was as assistant principal of the Wapello schools. Moving to Morning Sun in 1879, teaching was soon exchanged for retail grocery and later retail shoe business. In 1890 failing health demanded entire freedom from business cares, and the home in Morning Sun was exchanged for a home in Fairfield, where for nearly eighteen years of increasing weakness he had lived and loved, patiently enduring. Two sons were born to the union--Phinaes Ellsworth, who died in infancy, and Melvin Vernon, who, with the mother, survives. The latter son entered Parsons College in Fairfield, completing the course in '95, and afterward the seminary course in Chicago in '98, and is at present pastor of the Knox Presbyterian church in Omaha, Neb. He was in the home at the time of his father's death. Funeral services were conducted Saturday by Rev. W. F. Jones, assisted by Rev. Pearse Pinch, and interment was made at Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, June 19, 1907
Page 6, Column 2

A Good Man Gone.

Joseph HIGBEE was born in Louisa Co., Iowa, Sept. 20, 1840. At the time of his death, Thursday, June 13, he was in the 67th year of his life.

Early in the war he enlisted in Co. F, Iowa Infantry, in which he served until a gunshot wound in the left shoulder incapacitated him for further service.

August 13, 1862, he married Diana Ellen WEBSTER, with whom he lived almost forty-five years, and who survives him. To them were born two children, Phineas E., who died in infancy; Melvin Vernon survives the father.

On his return from the war Mr. HIGBEE went to school to qualify himself for teaching, which profession he followed until 1879. In that year he went to Morning Sun and engaged in business, and came to Fairfield to life for the sake of educating his son in Parsons college.

During his residence here, he has commended himself to all by his fine spirit and upright manner of life. He was a gentleman of the finest type, one of the citizens who constitute the strength of the state.

Rev. Jones said of him: "My recollections of him as his pastor are most pleasant. When strength permitted he did not fail to occupy his place in church. He was always kindly in his expressions of appreciation. He was unfailingly cheerful, never dwelling on his own aches and pains, which for years had been many. It was my privilege to visit him an hour and a half before he died, and to pray with him. He said nothing of the trying days and nights he had been suffering, but said with a bright smile on his face: 'I have been greatly favored, and have much to be thankful for. It is all right with me.' I little thought the end was so near, but I felt there was a man who was at peace with God and men."

Funeral services were held from the home Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Jones, of the Presbyterian church, and interment made in Evergreen cemetery. The local order of G. A. R.'s attended in a body and had charge of the services at the grave.

[Transcriber's note: The G. A. R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, June 19, 1907
Page 7, Column 4

Personals.

... Mr. and Mrs. Jas. HIGBEE, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Martin, of Winfield; Mrs. W. E. Smith, of Richland; Mrs. John FRIZELL, of Muscatine, Mrs. Jennie Lawson, of Ottumwa; Mrs. Ella Smith, of Wapello, were here last week to attend the funeral of the late Jos. HIGBEE. ...

... Rev. V. HIGBEE, of Omaha, was called here last week by the illness and death of his father, the late Joseph HIGBEE. ...

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, June 12 (sic - 21), 1907
Page 5, Column 3

Obituary.

Comrade Joseph HIGBEE was born in Louisa county Iowa, near Wapello, September 20th, 1840 and grew to manhood in that county. August 13, 1862 he married Diana E. WEBSTER, who with one son, Rev. M. V. HIGBEE, survives him. Early in the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Co. F, 19th Regiment Iowa Volunter (sic) Infantry. December 7th, 1862 he received a wound in his left shoulder at the battle of Prairie Grove Arkansas that was the cause of his death. He was discharged from the U. S. service April 2d, 1863.

On his return hom (sic) and being unable to do any hard work on account of the wound; he went to school and prepared himself for teaching, which profession he followed until 1879, when he went to Morning Sun where he engaged in business for several years, afterwards coming here to educate their son.

He became a Christian soon after entering the army and on his return home united with the Presbyterian church. He died June 13, 1907 aged 65 years (sic) 8 months and 23 days.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. Jones. A large number of his old comrades were present. The sympathy of the many friends go out to the wife and son in this sad affliction. His brother James HIGBEE and wife of Winfield were present at the funeral.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, June 26th, 1907
Page 2, Column 4

PROBATE OF WILL.

State of Iowa, Jefferson county, ss.

To all whom it may concern :

Notice is hereby given that an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of Joseph HIGBEE, deceased, is now on file in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of Jefferson county, Iowa, and that Monday, September 23d, A. D. 1907, at 2 o'clock p.m., it being the first day of the September term, 1907, of said court, has been set for proof and final hearing of same. Witness my hand and the seal of said court this 17th day of June, 1907.

W. C. SMITH,
Clerk of the District Court.
[SEAL] 4t25

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.170. Wife Dianah died in 1925 and was buried with him.